President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished the Muslim community well over Ramadaan, the holy month of fasting and charitable works.
 
The President said: “Ramadaan is a special period of spiritual devotion, physical sacrifice and charitable outreach for Muslims. But it is also an expression of faith that is embraced with tolerance and Ubuntu by all communities of faith.
 
“In our 30th year of freedom, the advent of Ramadaan gives us an appreciation of the freedom of religion, belief and opinion enshrined in our Constitution and the richness of our nation’s diversity.
 
“Ramadaan also connects the local Muslim community more closely with their brethren around the world at this time. We remember that for millions of people, Ramadaan is being observed under conditions of conflict, war, displacement and oppression. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the peoples of Palestine, Yemen, Sudan, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Western Sahara, Mali and others - for whom this holy month is a time of great hardship and suffering. “
 
“May the message of Ramadaan, of peace, tolerance and unity serve as an impetus for us as the international fellowship of nations to do all within our means to protect the most vulnerable, and put an end to conflicts and wars everywhere,” President Ramaphosa said.
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Tuesday, 12 March 2024, respond to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament on matters related to his delegated responsibilities.

In light of the high unemployment rate among the youth, the Deputy President will brief members of the NCOP on job creation initiatives implemented by government to address unemployment and promote inclusive economic growth. 

This is in line with the Deputy President’s delegated responsibility of leading the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa and fostering collaboration between government and social partners toward addressing the shortage of skills in critical sectors of the economy.

The Deputy President will also reaffirm government’s commitment to ensuring that municipalities meet their constitutional obligation of delivering basic services through the rollout of the District Development Model. 

In his capacity as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform, the Deputy President will appraise the NCOP members on the ongoing efforts to accelerate land redistribution through a variety of instruments, in order to boost agricultural output. 

Additionally, the Deputy President will reassure the NCOP members that South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice will not have an impact on the country's national efforts and initiatives to promote social cohesion.

Details of the NCOP sitting are as follows: 

Date: Tuesday, 12 March 2024
Time: 14h00
Venue: NCOP Chambers

Media enquiries: Mr. Keith Khoza, Political Advisor and Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Minister in The Presidency responsible for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, will on Monday, 11 March 2024, brief the media on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. 

Members of the media are invited to attend the briefing as follows:

Date: Monday, 11 March 2024
Time: 09h00 (media to arrive at 08h30 for setup)
Venue: GCIS Auditorium, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria 

Live Streaming details:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/GovernmentZA   
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GovernmentZA   
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GovernmentZA  

Media enquires: Tsakane Khambane, Spokesperson in the Ministry of Electricity |Cell: 082 084 5566 | tsakane@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: GCIS on behalf of the Ministry in The Presidency for Electricity
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 12 March 2024, co-chair the Second Session of the South Africa-Ghana Bi-National Commission (BNC) with His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the Republic of Ghana. 

The BNC will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting on Monday, 11 March, and will conclude with a Business Forum on 12 March.

The BNC will take place at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s OR Tambo Building in Rietondale, Pretoria, while the Business Forum will be held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

The relationship between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Ghana has grown exponentially over the years.

Cooperation between our two countries has been elevated from a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) that is held at a Ministerial level to a Bi-National Commission, presided over by the two Heads of State and Government.

The second session of the Commission will consist of the following Sectoral Committees:
 
•    Political and Diplomatic Committee: foreign affairs, international relations and cooperation
•    Defence and Security Committee: Defence, police, state security, and immigration
•    Social Committee: Health, education, gender, social development, training, science, innovation,
•    Sustainable Development Committee: Forestry, fisheries, environment, land, rural development, agriculture
•    Economic Committee: Mining, energy, transport, trade, industrial development, maritime

The BNC sets out to strengthen and consolidate cooperation between the two countries and exchange views on developments in their respective regions, particularly in the areas of peace, security, and economic development. 

Furthermore, the BNC will follow up on progress in the implementation of the decisions taken during the inaugural session that was held in December 2021.

The Business Forum will bring together companies and entrepreneurs from South Africa and Ghana with the aim of deepening trade and mutual investment and leveraging the opportunities created within the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Expanded trade and investment will stimulate growth and job creation in both countries and facilitate closer people-to-people interaction between the two nations.

President Ramaphosa will lead a delegation comprising Ministers Naledi Pandor of International Relations and Cooperation; Thandi Modise of Defence and Military Veterans; Thoko Didiza of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Blade Nzimande of Higher Education, Science and Innovation; and Ebrahim Patel of Trade, Industry and Competition.
 
The delegation is also expected to include Ministers Gwede Mantashe of Mineral Resources and Energy; Sindisiwe Chikunga of Transport; Patricia de Lille of Tourism; Aaron Motsoaledi of Home Affairs; Ronald Lamola of Justice and Constitutional Development; Barbara Creecy of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment; Mamoloko Kubayi of Human Settlements; and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

Media are invited to cover the Second Session of the BNC as follows:
 
Date: Tuesday, 12 March 2024
Time: 08h00
Venue: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria

Media is also invited to cover the Business Forum as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 12 March 2024
Time: 14h00
Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
 
Members of the media wishing to cover the sessions are requested to forward their names as follows: 

For the BNC - fill in the Excel form attached (Media Screening and Accreditation form.xlsx) and return to Makungu Mbetse on makungu@presidency.gov.za / 079 788 3077. Fill it up until column Q 

For the Business Forum - fill in the attached form (Media Screening and Accreditation form.xlsx) and submit to Phumzile Kotane on pkotane@thedtic.gov.za / 071 462 8246. Fill it up until column Q 

NB: Media RSVPs must be submitted by 15h00 today, Friday, 08 March 2024.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@enquires.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria